USPS

RoscoTrombone · by **RoscoTrombone** » 2020-04-28 1:06 p.m.

Hey wasn't sure where to put this so have opted for here....I'm just wandering how general postal deliveries are in the US - I'm in the UK.

I had ordered a brassark pipe last year and when his kicked off I had resigned myself to waiting until it was much better so was shocked when I got the USPS notice...however it has taken from the 3rd - 28th April for it to get from LA to Chicago before it heads my way.

I was expecting things to take longer but that seems to be a bit extreme?

I'm going be sent another item in a couple of weeks time so I'm wondering if it will be the same...

Ross

hyperbolica · by **hyperbolica** » 2020-04-28 1:49 p.m.

I sent an item from east to west coast, and it got there in a few days. An item going the other way is taking a week longer. Something I sent today going up two states is going to take 3 days. It all sounds reasonable to me. Not too much different from usual.

International is a different beast. I sent something APO/Germany, but haven't heard about it's arrival yet. So much can go wrong with international.

Matt_K · by **Matt_K** » 2020-04-28 1:52 p.m.

In the last month I've had packages come to me in the midwest from the east coast in 1 day. I've shipped to another location in the mideast in one day. I've also had something located around 200 miles away take three weeks to get to me.

bbocaner · by **bbocaner** » 2020-04-28 2:37 p.m.

It's mixed. Some things are progressing as normal. I've sent some other things to family though that have taken weeks when they should have been there in a day or two. They are definitely seeing some challenges.

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-04-28 2:57 p.m.

[quote="bbocaner"]It's mixed. Some things are progressing as normal. I've sent some other things to family though that have taken weeks when they should have been there in a day or two. They are definitely seeing some challenges.[/quote]

:good:

RoscoTrombone · by **RoscoTrombone** » 2020-04-28 3:37 p.m.

So it seems to be a real mixed bag then as to the length of time. I just thought that taking over 4 weeks to get to Chicago was a bit unusual even in this climate. If it gets to me now in less than that then that'll be even more unusual!

Over here deliveries seem to be taking a bit longer for regular mail but not overly. Saying that though I've been waiting over 2 weeks for a book/cd coming from Austria as well.

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2020-04-28 4:14 p.m.

Brexit may affect deliveries from Europe to the UK. Especially as things go forward.

Big issue from US to overseas is Customs at the destination.

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2020-04-28 5:27 p.m.

[quote="RoscoTrombone"]...it has taken from the 3rd - 28th April for it to get from LA to Chicago before it heads my way.

...[/quote]

Defnitely something wrong there.

But right now I have one to Sweden that hasn't arrived yet, 33 days after I mailed it.

Bach5G · by **Bach5G** » 2020-04-28 7:06 p.m.

I bought a couple of items and because the border is closed had them mailed to Canada. That means USPS > Canada Customs > Canada Post.

I don’t think anything will be lost but I’m not holding my breath while I wait for delivery.

JohnL · by **JohnL** » 2020-04-28 8:45 p.m.

I had a trombone shipped to me in SoCal from Philadelphia late in March; it took more the twice as long as USPS's "anticipated delivery",

PhilE · by **PhilE** » 2020-04-28 9:48 p.m.

I ordered some bits and pieces from NJ, USA on 26 March, to be shipped to Australia.

According to the USPS tracking they have been sitting in the Jamaica NY International Distribution Centre since 31 March.

The tracking service usually loses track of the goods after landing in Australia but advises when they have landed.

Australia Post has its own challenges as well at the moment.

Bach5G · by **Bach5G** » 2020-04-29 3:20 p.m.

Package number one arrived this morning, pretty much right on schedule.

BurckhardtS · by **BurckhardtS** » 2020-04-29 4:49 p.m.

Surprisingly, I feel like I might be the only one that hasn't had shipping issues with USPS or UPS yet. I live in Chicago and everything I've ordered (which has been a decent amount this last month) has showed up on time. In fact, a couple of Amazon packages arrived a day earlier than expected.

Mv2541 · by **Mv2541** » 2020-04-29 8:38 p.m.

I have a package that is not here yet shipped March 26th. If you want to ship use FedEx; I had several get through quickly with them.

mrdeacon · by **mrdeacon** » 2020-04-30 12:04 a.m.

Not sure about all the hate towards USPS shipping speed. I've actually been having things arrive faster than usual! One of those being international. Basically everything I've sent or had sent to me via Priority has taken the minimum 2 days.

Granted at the start of the pandemic USPS was a disaster. I had two packages take 2+ weeks and one international take over a month to get to their destination vs the advertised 2-3 days for stateside and 2 weeks for international.

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-04-30 12:35 a.m.

No "hate" for USPS here – but deliveries have been wildly inconsistent; some normal delivery time, some greatly extended. I think media mail (e.g., sheet music) is handled with the very lowest priority and thus takes a very long time.

My biggest gripe – which probably does deserve some hate – is that USPS managed to deliver a trombone, which I thought I had securely packed, with a severely wrinkled bell. The must have dropped it from a very substantial height onto a hard surface. Insured; claim filed Monday; no response yet after 4 days! I'm embarrassed and sickened by what they did to a fine musical instrument.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2020-04-30 3:18 a.m.

I shipped something usps from Japan at the beginning of April, it only just left Japan on the 24th by plane and hasn't been updated since. That is one slow plane!

Matt_K · by **Matt_K** » 2020-04-30 11:16 a.m.

[quote="harrisonreed"]I shipped something usps from Japan at the beginning of April, it only just left Japan on the 24th by plane and hasn't been updated since. That is one slow plane![/quote]

Have to stay in the air for 14 days to properly quarantine 😉

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-04-30 11:34 a.m.

[quote="Matt K"]<QUOTE author="harrisonreed" post_id="111590" time="1588231090" user_id="3642">
I shipped something usps from Japan at the beginning of April, it only just left Japan on the 24th by plane and hasn't been updated since. That is one slow plane![/quote]

Have to stay in the air for 14 days to properly quarantine 😉
</QUOTE>

Circling over the Pacific Ocean for two weeks? :idk:

sungfw · by **sungfw** » 2020-04-30 12:58 p.m.

[quote="Mv2541"]If you want to ship use FedEx; I had several get through quickly with them.[/quote]

In my experience, FedEx is BY FAR the worst parcel delivery service. BY. FAR.

Between packages showing as out for delivery not being delivered three days in a row because "the driver is out sick" (yes, the supervisor at the local depot actually tried to use that excuse, never mind our 24/7 security video from both entrances to our campus—which we sent him and Cc:ed his regional supervisor—showing the FedEx van driving past the church without turning in and the private school next door, ~200 yds beyond us, receiving deliveries on all three days), "there was no one there to sign for the package" (despite no FedEx van or driver appearing in any of the campus or building entrance security video on the dates in question), and constant mis-delivery of our packages to the school next door and their packages to us, we've canceled our FedEx account and told our regular vendors NOT to use FedEx to ship to us.

HawaiiTromboneGuy · by **HawaiiTromboneGuy** » 2020-04-30 3:39 p.m.

Welcome to my world of having to wait longer for things to arrive, lol!

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2020-04-30 7:32 p.m.

[quote="sungfw"]<QUOTE author="Mv2541" post_id="111559" time="1588207090" user_id="247">
If you want to ship use FedEx; I had several get through quickly with them.[/quote]

In my experience, FedEx is BY FAR the worst parcel delivery service. BY. FAR.

Between packages showing as out for delivery not being delivered three days in a row because "the driver is out sick" (yes, the supervisor at the local depot actually tried to use that excuse, never mind our 24/7 security video from both entrances to our campus—which we sent him and Cc:ed his regional supervisor—showing the FedEx van driving past the church without turning in and the private school next door, ~200 yds beyond us, receiving deliveries on all three days), "there was no one there to sign for the package" (despite no FedEx van or driver appearing in any of the campus or building entrance security video on the dates in question), and constant mis-delivery of our packages to the school next door and their packages to us, we've canceled our FedEx account and told our regular vendors NOT to use FedEx to ship to us.
</QUOTE>

Well, yeah.

Willlsooonnn!!!!!

HawaiiTromboneGuy · by **HawaiiTromboneGuy** » 2020-04-30 7:37 p.m.

[quote="harrisonreed"]

Well, yeah.

Willlsooonnn!!!!![/quote]
Oh man. I laughed way too hard at this. :lol: :pant:

RoscoTrombone · by **RoscoTrombone** » 2020-05-14 3:48 p.m.

Well after arriving at Chicago on 28th April...the next update on 2nd May stated that it's in transit to the next facility....assuming that next facility is still in the States then that's been another 12 days.....it could have been delivered via hot air balloon quicker <EMOJI seq="1f928" tseq="1f928">🤨</EMOJI>

brassmedic · by **brassmedic** » 2020-05-14 4:34 p.m.

Yeah, USPS is very inconsistent right now. Some things arrive lightning fast, and others are delayed. The first month of the stay-at-home order, my mail was getting to me very consistently around noon every day. Now it comes as late as 8pm, and sometimes not at all. I'm guessing a lot of the regular mail carriers are out sick and they're using temps who don't know what they're doing.

Still WAY better than UPS. I don't think I've had a single UPS delivery actually get here on the scheduled delivery day. One package was on the driver's truck for 5 days during which time he failed to take it to my house. I don't think I ever would have gotten it if I hadn't, on the 5th day, seen the truck drive by, chased it down the street on foot, and got him to search his truck for 10 minutes. Only then did he find my package.

But Fedex is the worst. They are liars. Driver claimed to have made 3 delivery attempts but never left a door tag. Hours on the phone with customer service, and I still had to go pick it up myself. I will NEVER use Fedex. Worst experience of my life.

BurckhardtS · by **BurckhardtS** » 2020-05-14 4:39 p.m.

I've also started to notice deliveries coming in multiple waves - I've seen USPS go by delivering just packages and letter mail separately here in Chicago, which seems unusual, and I've seen UPS and Fedex go by multiple times in the same day. Maybe that's a city thing but I haven't seen it until just now.

imsevimse · by **imsevimse** » 2020-05-14 7:08 p.m.

[quote="Doug Elliott"]<QUOTE author="RoscoTrombone" post_id="111362" time="1588093608" user_id="3852">
...it has taken from the 3rd - 28th April for it to get from LA to Chicago before it heads my way.

...[/quote]

Defnitely something wrong there.

But right now I have one to Sweden that hasn't arrived yet, 33 days after I mailed it.
</QUOTE>

When I bought many horns from US it took 5-6 weeks to get them here every time. If the declared value was above a certain sum it got caught in the Swedish customs. The packet was then searched and I had to pay customs before it was sent to me. Custom takes another week. At one time a horn was lost and both the seller and I got the money from eBay., He got the winning bid and I got my money put back on my bank account. After another month the instrument arrived. That one I got for free :-)

/Tom

brassmedic · by **brassmedic** » 2020-05-15 4:09 p.m.

I wanted to share this: I'm expecting a UPS package. Yesterday it said "out for delivery" but it never got here. Now they apparently don't even say "out for delivery" anymore. Now is just says "in transit", even though the delivery date is supposed to be today. This morning there was indeed a package at my door, but it was not mine. It was for a different address, even though I have a front gate with my street number in large lettering on it that the driver had to open to get to my house. So he presumably had my package in his truck, stopped at my house, failed to deliver my package, and gave me someone else's package instead. UPS is seriously having a meltdown.

BurckhardtS · by **BurckhardtS** » 2020-05-15 10:21 p.m.

It is probably localized to certain areas and depends on worker shortages in certain areas. Largely populated areas are probably struggling to keep up with demand with the virus more than rural areas. Like said before, it's likely temp workers that are new and have no idea what's going on, probably to fill in for sick workers, who would generally work with the new guy to show them how the system works.

I'm happy that most of my stuff is getting here somewhere in the ballpark of on time.

brassmedic · by **brassmedic** » 2020-05-15 11:30 p.m.

[quote="BurckhardtS"]

I'm happy that most of my stuff is getting here somewhere in the ballpark of on time.[/quote]
Must be nice. I wouldn't count on that necessarily continuing.

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-05-15 11:49 p.m.

We're actually pretty happy with UPS. We've had the same great driver, Steve, for several years. He had last week off; the sub was also pretty nice. Steve used to arrive here about 3:00-3:30pm, but recentlly it's been much later. Last night, he delivered a package, with his usual smile, at 6:00pm. Said he and many of his colleagues had been working 11-12 hours/day! He doesn't complain, but I hope they pay him overtime!

USPS normally delivers here by 1:30-2:00pm. Today, Juan arrived after 4:00pm; said he had 2 hours to go. He told me that he and his colleagues were now working 10+ hour days. Said it's mostly because of all the parcels they now have to deliver (and scan), often to front doors instead of to streetside mailboxes by leaning out the delivery truck door. In response to my question, he replied (with a smile [or was it a smirk?] behind his mask) that he's not always paid for the overtime he works.

In spite of this, I hear that Trump et al. are trying to drive USPS out of business, so mail service can be privatized. Hope this isn't true, but ... :idk:

I think all these folks deserve some sympathy, encouragement, and thanks during these difficult times. They're still trying hard to keep the economy – and our lives – afloat. :good:

RoscoTrombone · by **RoscoTrombone** » 2020-06-04 4:52 a.m.

Well the plot thickens.....I've just bought another item from the States which was posted on Monday from the NY area and landed at London Heathrow on Wednesday but still no sign of the pipe posted on April 3rd!

FOSSIL · by **FOSSIL** » 2020-06-04 6:48 a.m.

I am waiting on three mouthpieces sent from LA eight weeks ago... I think they are gone.... if anybody sees a MV Bach 2G, a Minick V or a screw rim Parke Kaplan up for sale in the US they could well be stolen from the mail system. The screw rim Parke Kaplan is the most obvious candidate. I have pictures.

Chris

MStarke · by **MStarke** » 2020-06-04 7:44 a.m.

I am experiencing the same right now. Waiting for two leadpipes from hornguys via USPS. Seems to be still in the US, last update from USPS is from 21st of May. Had another package coming through a few days ago which took quite a while, but had updates every other day.

It is a bit irritating.

But what is a bit more annoying: I have not yet find a way to inquire towards USPS on international packages. The case/ticketing system and phone contacts that they offer seem to work only for shipments within the US.

Does anyone have any idea on this?

RoscoTrombone · by **RoscoTrombone** » 2020-06-04 8:01 a.m.

I got in touch with Noah at Brassark a couple of weeks ago and he said he was going to open an enquiry but reckons he won't get much joy if it's left the States.

The problem is my last update from May 2nd just says it's in transit to destination so I have no idea where it is. Lost in the Bermuda Triangle perhaps? Intercepted by some weird trombone playing aliens who don't want to pay customs charges from the US to their own planet??

MStarke · by **MStarke** » 2020-06-04 8:44 a.m.

[quote="RoscoTrombone"]I got in touch with Noah at Brassark a couple of weeks ago and he said he was going to open an enquiry but reckons he won't get much joy if it's left the States.

The problem is my last update from May 2nd just says it's in transit to destination so I have no idea where it is. Lost in the Bermuda Triangle perhaps? Intercepted by some weird trombone playing aliens who don't want to pay customs charges from the US to their own planet??[/quote]

Sounds really like exactly the same situation as mine...

fsgazda · by **fsgazda** » 2020-06-04 10:06 a.m.

I have had no problems at all with usps, but ups is a disaster. Bought a tuba that took several days longer to get here, was not delivered at the set appointment time (ups freight), cost 3x what we had expected, and showed up with damage. Ordered a new axle for my mower, got 2nd day shipping because it's a freaking jungle in my backyard. Still not here 10 days after it was shipped. They have "opened an inquiry".

baileyman · by **baileyman** » 2020-06-04 1:10 p.m.

Sent a King double horn to a buddy by USPS truck. It took several days longer than expected, but $50 seemed like a good deal. The King case looked like good packaging, so they slapped a label on the side and sent it off. No damage.

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2020-06-04 1:36 p.m.

I've had similar issues with stuff sent from China to the US. Tracking by China Post stops when it leaves China and there is no tracing once it comes into the US.

mrdeacon · by **mrdeacon** » 2020-06-05 2:12 a.m.

[quote="FOSSIL"]I am waiting on three mouthpieces sent from LA eight weeks ago... I think they are gone.... if anybody sees a MV Bach 2G, a Minick V or a screw rim Parke Kaplan up for sale in the US they could well be stolen from the mail system. The screw rim Parke Kaplan is the most obvious candidate. I have pictures.

Chris[/quote]
Chris the tracking actually shows them as having entered the U.K as of today! Yay! I was going to be heartbroken if they actually got lost... that MV 2G is really special.

Yeah for anyone who has recently sent anything via USPS internationally or is waiting to receive something from the U.S don't be surprised if it takes over 2 months :eek:

For you guys with the MIA pipes maybe it has something to do with them leaving from Los Angeles? They could be super impacted... would explain why the mouthpieces I sent Chris are taking so long. It usually takes about 2-4 weeks to send internationally.

FOSSIL · by **FOSSIL** » 2020-06-05 8:37 a.m.

WOW !!!!!! They arrived today !!!! Just a couple of days ago they were still marked as leaving US on April 25th then nothing.... now I have them. mrdeacon said I would laugh at the packing....and I did.... he put each one in a Symington tube. He is the best packer ever...those tubes were wrapped in protection and then boxed very well....a good job as the box looked like it had been thrown around for two months.

Happy ending...and yes, that 2G is spectacular.

Chris

PhilE · by **PhilE** » 2020-06-06 7:16 a.m.

[quote="PhilE"]I ordered some bits and pieces from NJ, USA on 26 March, to be shipped to Australia.

According to the USPS tracking they have been sitting in the Jamaica NY International Distribution Centre since 31 March.

The tracking service usually loses track of the goods after landing in Australia but advises when they have landed.

Australia Post has its own challenges as well at the moment.[/quote]
There's been no change to this one. The item location is still NY according to the tracker.

I purchased another item from a forum member which was shipped USPS through Chicago 4th May. It hasn't turned up either but I guess it's early days really.

It's very difficult to make contact with USPS from outside the US.

RoscoTrombone · by **RoscoTrombone** » 2020-06-06 7:54 a.m.

Well I checked again this morning and all of a sudden it's at the customs depot in England!! Next step is to see how much I have to pay but it's not as if I'm spending my money on much else which a boon! I haven't filled the car up since the start of lockdown on 23rd March and haven't even used half a tank. That money has been invested elsewhere <EMOJI seq="1f601" tseq="1f601">😁</EMOJI>

I hope everyone else who has been waiting a long time gets their items soon!

Ross

JohnL · by **JohnL** » 2020-06-06 10:46 a.m.

[quote="mrdeacon"]For you guys with the MIA pipes maybe it has something to do with them leaving from Los Angeles? They could be super impacted... would explain why the mouthpieces I sent Chris are taking so long. It usually takes about 2-4 weeks to send internationally.[/quote]
Los Angeles is still in pretty bad spot, viruswise. For all you know, your packages could be sitting in facilities that are shut down because of a localized outbreak.

I wonder if they've instituted 72-hour wait points at various places in the system? Have one person in serious protective gear unload the pallets into a holding area, let them sit for at least 72 hours, and they should be largely virus-free.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2020-06-09 7:50 a.m.

I ordered some microphones from Sweden near the end of May. Used PostNord as the shipping service. It made it to Stockholm, but has been not updated since. Anyone in Scandinavia know if PostNord is having issues? I'm patient, but it would be cool to know if anyone has had a similar experience.

Slidemo · by **Slidemo** » 2020-06-09 9:15 a.m.

I had a mouthpiece arrive to me in the UK today that was posted in the US on the 7th April.

So 2 months is pretty standard at the moment.

The seller was excellent at keeping in touch and chasing things from their end.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2020-06-09 9:30 a.m.

Coolio

RoscoTrombone · by **RoscoTrombone** » 2020-06-09 10:07 a.m.

Well my pipe still seems to be at the customs depot & my other item which arrived in the UK last Wednesday still hasn't made it to me either.... typical!!

Slidemo · by **Slidemo** » 2020-06-09 10:41 a.m.

Customs will hold things up another week or so. Packages with a declared value of (I think?) over £15 will attract import duty which adds to the delay.

Basbasun · by **Basbasun** » 2020-06-09 3:05 p.m.

I don´t hate USPS, but they oviously have som problems. My mpc was sent from WI May 04, tracked May 12,2020 at 12,43 pm processe trough regions facility chicago IL internation distribution center.

After that nothing. I tried to contact usps for hours, impossible. I tried the Nordpost and the custom in Sweden with no luck. Well I do have mouthpieces.....

As German Trombone said;

But what is a bit more annoying: I have not yet find a way to inquire towards USPS on international packages. The case/ticketing system and phone contacts that they offer seem to work only for shipments within the US.

Does anyone have any idea on this?

tomchall · by **tomchall** » 2020-06-09 3:37 p.m.

My last order from Doug Elliott was on March 26th. It took just under 2 weeks (priority mail) which suprised us both! No customs charge either.

As the virus was kicking off around then, it took another 2 weeks for me to send Doug's piece within the UK, such was the demand on the Royal Mail.

Bach5G · by **Bach5G** » 2020-06-09 4:42 p.m.

I recently had a couple of mpcs mailed to Canada. This involves giving the mpc to the USPS, handing it off to the Canada Customs, and handing it off again to Canada Post. Both got here pretty much on time.

My last 2 Amazon orders on the other hand..,

mrdeacon · by **mrdeacon** » 2020-06-09 5:19 p.m.

[quote="Basbasun"]I don´t hate USPS, but they oviously have som problems. My mpc was sent from WI May 04, tracked May 12,2020 at 12,43 pm processe trough regions facility chicago IL internation distribution center.

After that nothing. I tried to contact usps for hours, impossible. I tried the Nordpost and the custom in Sweden with no luck. Well I do have mouthpieces.....

As German Trombone said;

But what is a bit more annoying: I have not yet find a way to inquire towards USPS on international packages. The case/ticketing system and phone contacts that they offer seem to work only for shipments within the US.

Does anyone have any idea on this?[/quote]
Like has been mentioned in this thread. It's likely not lost... it's just going to take 2 months to get to you. If it takes longer than 2 months and you still don't see it after three then there is cause for concern.

USPS for whatever reason doesn't provide tracking for international packages unless you specifically purchase a service that provides it... such as registered mail or you send it via one of the expedited services. Slow boat mail drops off the face of the earth the second it gets to the airport to go overseas.

If the item I'm sending international is of any value I always try and send it via Registered mail or FedEx to make sure I have tracking. I had a Mount Vernon 2G a few years back take over 3 months to get to the U.K and there was zero tracking! Terrifying! I thought it was a goner. Not doing that again.

PhilE · by **PhilE** » 2020-06-10 7:54 p.m.

[quote="PhilE"]<QUOTE author="PhilE" post_id="111449" time="1588124892" user_id="3151">
I ordered some bits and pieces from NJ, USA on 26 March, to be shipped to Australia.

According to the USPS tracking they have been sitting in the Jamaica NY International Distribution Centre since 31 March.

The tracking service usually loses track of the goods after landing in Australia but advises when they have landed.

Australia Post has its own challenges as well at the moment.[/quote]
There's been no change to this one. The item location is still NY according to the tracker.

I purchased another item from a forum member which was shipped USPS through Chicago 4th May. It hasn't turned up either but I guess it's early days really.

It's very difficult to make contact with USPS from outside the US.
</QUOTE>

The items shipped 31 March arrived yesterday - about 10 weeks :good:

sf105 · by **sf105** » 2020-06-11 2:04 p.m.

None of them do a good job. I tried paying the significant extra for FedEx once and it still got stuck in customs. Might as well let USPS do it cheaper and just wait.

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2020-06-11 3:02 p.m.

I understand that DHL has a better record with customs shipments. When I spent a couple of weeks working in France, the Purchasing Manager told me that was his experience. Never tried to send something through them, though.

mrdeacon · by **mrdeacon** » 2020-06-11 3:31 p.m.

[quote="BGuttman"]I understand that DHL has a better record with customs shipments. When I spent a couple of weeks working in France, the Purchasing Manager told me that was his experience. Never tried to send something through them, though.[/quote]
I can attest to that. Fossil sent me a horn from the U.K via DHL and it got to me in like a week and a half. It was insanely fast!

FedEx can be pretty fast too sometimes but obviously right now isn't the best time haha. :pant:

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2020-06-14 7:02 a.m.

My item left Line Audio and hit Stockholm. It's been sitting there since 2 june. Is it just that there aren't any boats or flights for it to be put into?

BassboneJ25 · by **BassboneJ25** » 2020-06-14 10:57 a.m.

After 2 months and 2 days a mouthpiece that I had sent from the US to the UK finally arrived. I had emailed the post office and recalled them repeatedly to get the same answer if it’s in processing and there’s nothing we can do. So just be on the look out for that answer. Also it got stuck in Chicago for a long time!

imsevimse · by **imsevimse** » 2020-06-14 2:23 p.m.

[quote="harrisonreed"]I ordered some microphones from Sweden near the end of May. Used PostNord as the shipping service. It made it to Stockholm, but has been not updated since. Anyone in Scandinavia know if PostNord is having issues? I'm patient, but it would be cool to know if anyone has had a similar experience.[/quote]

PostNord is a Danish company that handles all post in both Denmark and Sweden. They have had problems, a lot of delay, a lot of complaints. They have problems with costs and has to cut their expenses. The problem is people do not send as much post as they used to, especially not the Danish population. We Swedes are the ones who still use the post and finance the company. Because of us Swedes both the Swedish and the Danish distributions still work. In the future I guess the PostNord will be bankrupt. I would not be to worried at the moment though because the government will not let that happen. The company will deliver eventually. To bad the Swedish post is no more.

/Tom

RoscoTrombone · by **RoscoTrombone** » 2020-06-15 9:15 a.m.

Well after starting this thread asking about the US Postal Service & I now need to start one about the UK....the pipe has been sitting in the post office since 10th June & the expected customs charge release letter hasn't appeared yet! It's like they know I've been talking about it so are drawing it out a little bit more.

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2020-06-15 11:56 a.m.

I once got a tuba from somebody in Canada (to the US) and I needed to work through somebody called an "Expediter" who dealt with Customs. I didn't think it would translate down to something small, but you never know. My guess is that there may have been something wrong or odd in the Customs Declaration resulting in some kind of question from HM Customs and bureaucracy being what it is the impoundment is quick but the resolution is slow. Maybe the declaration was set at $0 for sale goods?

RoscoTrombone · by **RoscoTrombone** » 2020-06-15 1:39 p.m.

It's come from Noah at BrassArk so I very much doubt it's an issue on his side. My other item arrived on Friday with no issues. I've waited this long so what's another few days, it's not as if I'm going anywhere!

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2020-07-08 2:01 p.m.

A package I mailed Priority Mail to Sweden on March 23 just arrived today, July 8.

RoscoTrombone · by **RoscoTrombone** » 2020-07-08 2:53 p.m.

I'm currently waiting on a mouthpiece which got posted on 15th June from Oregon & the last update is 19th June at San Francisco but I reckon it'll be about the 8 week mark again.

Maybe the West Coast is affected more than the East?

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2020-07-08 3:01 p.m.

Replacement driver's license for my wife got lost. Yay.

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-07-08 6:29 p.m.

I just traded mouthpieces with a TC member in the U.K.

• He sent his via Royal Mail (with tracking) on June 17; arrived in California June 26. {9 days}

• I sent mine via USPS (no tracking) on June 17; arrived in England July 4. {17 days}

(No Customs delay because we each gave the other a gift.)

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2020-07-08 6:54 p.m.

Sweden's PostNord is pretty bad. A package stayed stuck in Stockholm for over a month. It finally arrived at an airport in the US and was handed over to USPS a few days ago, so it should arrive here in just a few days.

I ordered these microphones ages ago. I don't blame the company selling them, but I would have paid more for DHL or something that actually works.

imsevimse · by **imsevimse** » 2020-07-08 7:54 p.m.

[quote="harrisonreed"]Sweden's PostNord is pretty bad. A package stayed stuck in Stockholm for over a month. It finally arrived at an airport in the US and was handed over to USPS a few days ago, so it should arrive here in just a few days.

I ordered these microphones ages ago. I don't blame the company selling them, but I would have paid more for DHL or something that actually works.[/quote]

PostNord is actually a Danish company. Handles all post in Denmark and Sweden. We are not pleased with them. The Swedish post is no more, unfortunately.

/Tom

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2020-07-08 8:44 p.m.

[quote="imsevimse"]<QUOTE author="harrisonreed" post_id="119287" time="1594248860" user_id="3642">
Sweden's PostNord is pretty bad. A package stayed stuck in Stockholm for over a month. It finally arrived at an airport in the US and was handed over to USPS a few days ago, so it should arrive here in just a few days.

I ordered these microphones ages ago. I don't blame the company selling them, but I would have paid more for DHL or something that actually works.[/quote]

PostNord is actually a Danish company. Handles all post in Denmark and Sweden. We are not pleased with them. The Swedish post is no more, unfortunately.

/Tom
</QUOTE>

I remember one of the staff (might have been Christian's wife or daughter) sent me some of the scores I ordered from their Edition Tarrodi company with the Sverige stamp wrapped in kraft paper. No issues. I haven't ordered anything from Sweden in years, but yeah, I remember that it was better.

euphobone · by **euphobone** » 2020-07-08 10:00 p.m.

I bought a Denis Wick travel mute for my trombone from Florida, I'm in Texas. Somewhere along the line the shipment has been routed TWICE back to a USPS Regional facility in Seminole, Florida, after each time supposedly being on its way to the next facility for 2 days. It was shipped from the seller on June 29th, was supposed to arrive on July 3rd. Probably won't get it till next week. :idk:

I use USPS, and very rarely the others (UPS, FEDEX, DHL)

International shipments from the UK to Texas that I have received have taken at least 2 weeks to get to me, routed through USPS.

Basbasun · by **Basbasun** » 2020-07-22 3:43 p.m.

[quote="Basbasun"]I don´t hate USPS, but they oviously have som problems. My mpc was sent from WI May 04, tracked May 12,2020 at 12,43 pm processe trough regions facility chicago IL internation distribution center.

After that nothing. I tried to contact usps for hours, impossible. I tried the Nordpost and the custom in Sweden with no luck. Well I do have mouthpieces.....

As German Trombone said;

But what is a bit more annoying: I have not yet find a way to inquire towards USPS on international packages. The case/ticketing system and phone contacts that they offer seem to work only for shipments within the US.

Does anyone have any idea on this?[/quote]
I got the mouthpiece to day! Two months and 18 days. Is that any kind of record?

By the way, It is Griego-Taylor 1 1/2. So far I love it! The same rim size as Bach 1 1/2G, a lttle deeper and a bit bigger bore. Great! But I don´t sound like Taylor on it. ;)

CalgaryTbone · by **CalgaryTbone** » 2020-07-22 5:15 p.m.

USPS is slow these days, but so are most of the others too. It's double the slow service here, because it gets handed off to Canada Post after a vacation at Canada Customs. I had a really bad experience with DHL once - they kept trying to deliver a correctly addressed package to a different address several miles away from the recipient. No amount of phone calls and emails could correct it, and we finally got the recipient to phone them and get them to hold it at their office so he could pick it up. All of this was after I had paid a fairly high cost for 2 day door to door shipping. I can't recommend them.

Jim Scott

DaveAshley · by **DaveAshley** » 2020-07-26 4:51 p.m.

USPS has a new pricing policy that had me paying $77 to ship a bell flare last week.

The clerk measured the box, and that somehow "increased" the weight of the package from 6 lbs to 27 lbs. I asked a manager about it, and he gave me some corporate answer that didn't explain anything. I think they're trying to get out of the shipping business or something.

Klimchak · by **Klimchak** » 2020-07-26 5:05 p.m.

Yes, USPS uses dimensional weight (estimated weight based on size as opposed to actual weight) as do the others, but maybe not quite as much of a mark-up depending on distance. Trombones, despite weighing around 18 lbs packed up and depending on case, always get billed for over 30 lbs due to size.

mrdeacon · by **mrdeacon** » 2020-07-27 1:38 a.m.

[quote="DaveAshley"]USPS has a new pricing policy that had me paying $77 to ship a bell flare last week.

The clerk measured the box, and that somehow "increased" the weight of the package from 6 lbs to 27 lbs. I asked a manager about it, and he gave me some corporate answer that didn't explain anything. I think they're trying to get out of the shipping business or something.[/quote]
Yeah USPS has been doing that for a while. At least a year if not longer.

As Klimchack mentioned demensional weight can be a good and a bad thing. For most customer it's actually a really good thing... Imagine you were shipping something heavy like furniture, books or car parts... It's handy to have the weight rounder vs UPS or FedEx.

USPS isn't that bad if you're shipping to a somewhat close state it's if you ship something across the country where the price shoots up. Cross country shipping the price between all of the big three companies is pretty similar.

Basbasun · by **Basbasun** » 2020-07-27 5:26 a.m.

"

USPS isn't that bad if you're shipping to a somewhat close state it's if you ship something across the country where the price shoots up. Cross country shipping the price between all of the big three companies is pretty similar."

Well, yes you are probably right. But there are othere countries outside US. Then USPS is really bad.

sungfw · by **sungfw** » 2020-07-27 11:00 a.m.

[quote="Basbasun"]Well, yes you are probably right. But there are othere countries outside US. Then USPS is really bad.[/quote]

No worse (or better), in my experience, than other countries' carriers shipping to the US.

sf105 · by **sf105** » 2020-07-27 3:49 p.m.

Is it being affected by recently reported shennanigans in the US postal service?

DaveAshley · by **DaveAshley** » 2020-08-13 2:40 p.m.

I've been selling things on eBay for a couple of months. Within the last few weeks, several things I've sent have arrived late. I ordered something on the 9th that arrived at the post office on the 10th. Tracking has shown "The acceptance of your package is pending." since then, and it's now the 13th.

The USPS is deliberately being f____d with, and it's disgusting!

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-08-13 3:08 p.m.

[quote="DaveAshley"]The USPS is deliberately being f____d with, and it's disgusting![/quote]

How can this be an any way acceptable? Our congress and our courts are impotent tools of the master manipulator.

Bach5G · by **Bach5G** » 2020-08-13 5:25 p.m.

It’s bizarre to me that there is no attempt whatsoever to hide the fact that this is political interference to suppress the vote. I can’t believe there is no outrage but perhaps we’re all exhausted.

Mandorob316 · by **Mandorob316** » 2020-08-13 8:18 p.m.

I just had a package take 14 days to get from California to Wisconsin. Tracking was non existent all the way across the country, only showing departure and arrival in Wisconsin. It arrived in fine shape though.

chromebone · by **chromebone** » 2020-08-16 2:30 p.m.

[quote="Bach5G"]It’s bizarre to me that there is no attempt whatsoever to hide the fact that this is political interference to suppress the vote. I can’t believe there is no outrage but perhaps we’re all exhausted.[/quote]

There is a lot of outrage right now. Congress is now going to have hearings next week.

I know this is not a forum for politics so I won't get into the merits or demerits of the candidates or political parties or their motivations, but just looking it as a purely practical political matter from that candidate and their political parties' desire to win, it's just really dumb politics to try and destroy the one government agency which has near universal approval at 91%, right before an election, especially when the majority of said responsible parties' constituency relies heavily on the USPS.

BrianJohnston · by **BrianJohnston** » 2020-08-17 4:47 p.m.

Luckily we will still have UPS & FedEx during all of this. They're more expensive... at least FedEx is a little more reliable than the rest.

Bach5G · by **Bach5G** » 2020-08-17 5:30 p.m.

I received a package shipped from NC across an international border in the usual time.

Slidemo · by **Slidemo** » 2020-08-17 9:08 p.m.

I had a package posted from the US to the UK on the 19 Jul. The last tracking update before today was on the 24 Jul. That's 3.5 weeks without an update.

Today my package is passing through a distribution centre in Chicago. So it hasn't even left the US yet.

Perhaps everything is being quarantined for 3 weeks?

I had a previous package take 2 months so I'm kinda expecting a similar timeframe for this and 2 more things that are on the way.

USPS is the only real viable option cost wise to the UK.

RoscoTrombone · by **RoscoTrombone** » 2020-08-18 11:10 a.m.

8/9 weeks seems to be the norm at the moment with radio silence on tracking until suddenly it's landed on our shores!

I ordered a leadpipe from the horn guys which was sent by DHL on the Tuesday and I received it on the Friday AND that shipping cost less than I've paid for USPS.

Beef · by **Beef** » 2020-08-18 11:56 a.m.

USPS is pretty iffy, when it's CONUS it's pretty good but anything international it's like they don't know what they're doing. But parcelmonkey has been pretty reliable when it comes to international shipping.

bassboy · by **bassboy** » 2020-08-18 2:29 p.m.

My friend sent me a small package from 45 minute (drive) away via USPS. It took 2 months to get here.

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-08-18 2:49 p.m.

Looks like the plan to gradually destroy USPS is working well!

ssking2b · by **ssking2b** » 2020-08-19 12:04 p.m.

Service has been like this since the '70s - nothing new here

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-08-20 2:17 p.m.

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.latimes.com/california/stor ... id=2396375">https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-20/usps-cutbacks-post-office-chaos?utm_source=sfmc_100035609&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=News+Alert%3a+%e2%80%98Like+Armageddon%e2%80%99%3a+Rotting+food%2c+dead+animals+and+chaos+at+postal+facilities+amid+cutbac&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.latimes.com%2fcalifornia%2fstory%2f2020-08-20%2fusps-cutbacks-post-office-chaos&utm_id=12191&sfmc_id=2396375</LINK_TEXT>

Any questions?

Bach5G · by **Bach5G** » 2020-08-20 2:52 p.m.

Is America great again?

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2020-08-20 5:09 p.m.

Can we "lose" one particular mail-in ballot from Washington DC to Palm Beach, FL? :evil:

Neo_Bri · by **Neo_Bri** » 2020-08-20 7:38 p.m.

I just shipped a horn to a buyer in Texas (shipping from Utah). USPS quoted me $160, which blew my mind...I've shipped a lot of horns. They claim prices haven't gone up, but the last 5 or so horns I've shipped have been much higher in fees than before. I went to UPS, historically much more expensive, and they quoted $87. Sad.

mrdeacon · by **mrdeacon** » 2020-08-21 12:21 a.m.

[quote="Neo Bri"]I just shipped a horn to a buyer in Texas (shipping from Utah). USPS quoted me $160, which blew my mind...I've shipped a lot of horns. They claim prices haven't gone up, but the last 5 or so horns I've shipped have been much higher in fees than before. I went to UPS, historically much more expensive, and they quoted $87. Sad.[/quote]
That's nuts! The cost went up even more from when you shipped me a horn just a few months ago.

I hope the USPS can eventually recover from all this but I'm not sure I'll ever ship large parcels with them again.

afugate · by **afugate** » 2020-08-21 11:02 a.m.

Puts on "elected official" hat... (Most of you do not know I'm a state legislator in Oklahoma. I'm at the bottom of the totem pole, but at least I have a seat at the table.)

The US Postal Service predates the United States by a year (1775) and is actually a Constitutionally-mandated function of the federal government.

One of the ~~[color=#FF0000]~~fundamental duties of those we elect is to make government work for for us. That's called governing. We can (and should) have healthy discussions about what we want government to do on behalf of the people. But in the end, it's the job of our representatives to make it work and make it successful.

Somewhere along the way this concept has been forgotten.

<end political rant>

--Andy in OKC

(Mandatory Trombone Content: I played a live gig this past weekend. :good: )

RoscoTrombone · by **RoscoTrombone** » 2020-08-21 2:57 p.m.

Going to digress slightly...I'm in the process of buying a pipe from a fellow forumite but he/we are struggling to find reasonable shipping that isn't USPS.

So is there anything else out there or is the current snail mail the most cost effective?

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2020-08-21 3:40 p.m.

[quote="RoscoTrombone"]Going to digress slightly...I'm in the process of buying a pipe from a fellow forumite but he/we are struggling to find reasonable shipping that isn't USPS.

So is there anything else out there or is the current snail mail the most cost effective?[/quote]

A leadpipe? There's no way that's expensive with any of the shipping companies.

RoscoTrombone · by **RoscoTrombone** » 2020-08-21 3:45 p.m.

He says he's had quotes around $100 which seems ridiculous. I tried DHL & it quoted me $72.

It's his first international shipping so any advice/tricks will be vrratly appreciated

Backbone · by **Backbone** » 2020-08-21 3:52 p.m.

[quote="Burgerbob"]<QUOTE author="RoscoTrombone" post_id="123405" time="1598036226" user_id="3852">
Going to digress slightly...I'm in the process of buying a pipe from a fellow forumite but he/we are struggling to find reasonable shipping that isn't USPS.

So is there anything else out there or is the current snail mail the most cost effective?[/quote]

A leadpipe? There's no way that's expensive with any of the shipping companies.
</QUOTE>

This is an international transaction. US to UK. So far, expensive.

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2020-08-21 4:16 p.m.

I am still using USPS Priority Mail and not having any serious issues except usually an extra day.

Most leadpipes will fit in a Priority Mail Small Box and postage is $8.30 anywhere in the US.

Those boxes are available at any post office for no extra charge.

MTbassbone · by **MTbassbone** » 2020-08-21 5:54 p.m.

[quote="Doug Elliott"]I am still using USPS Priority Mail and not having any serious issues except usually an extra day.

Most leadpipes will fit in a Priority Mail Small Box and postage is $8.30 anywhere in the US.

Those boxes are available at any post office for no extra charge.[/quote]

I am also a huge fan of the Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes. Some people have turned the Flat Rate Envelope into a box so it will fit whatever they are shipping. I believe the slogan is "if it fits it ships" (up to 70lbs). I also like the Automated Postage Center because I use it after hours rather than waiting in line. A lot of people don't want to use it so I usually don't have to wait.

HawaiiTromboneGuy · by **HawaiiTromboneGuy** » 2020-08-27 11:49 p.m.

Purchased a couple of mouthpieces here on the forum. Seller shipped them from California via USPS Priority small flat rate box on Tuesday and they were delivered to me in Hawaii today (Thursday).

gregwaits · by **gregwaits** » 2020-08-28 7:45 p.m.

That is fast!

Elow · by **Elow** » 2020-09-10 5:43 p.m.

Something seems a bit off... Should i just go up there and try to pick it up because they say it’s been there for 3 days. It’s a mouthpiece from canada

brumpone · by **brumpone** » 2020-09-11 6:03 a.m.

Seeing those multiple "depart" messages in a minutes reminds me of a time about 3 years ago that a package of mine would leave one depot for another on the other side of the city, just to be returned to the sending depot. This ping-pong carried on for about a week. The package never arrived. The carrier (DPD) was useless, but the sender - an upmarket department store in central London sent the best customer service email I have ever received.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2020-09-11 9:58 a.m.

[quote="brumpone"]Seeing those multiple "depart" messages in a minutes reminds me of a time about 3 years ago that a package of mine would leave one depot for another on the other side of the city, just to be returned to the sending depot. This ping-pong carried on for about a week. The package never arrived. The carrier (DPD) was useless, but the sender - an upmarket department store in central London sent the best customer service email I have ever received.[/quote]

"Well, at least it's not our fault!"

Elow · by **Elow** » 2020-09-11 1:33 p.m.

Welp, that’s good to know. The seller was pretty nice and responded fast so i don’t really want to bother them. I’ll give it another week and then i’ll go to the post office, it’s only like 2 minutes away.

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2020-09-12 1:55 p.m.

Had an interesting experience. Bought something on Ebay (not a trombone) and getting shipped here to NH from Arkansas. Tracking showed pickup, then a cryptic message "in transit, on time". It was supposed to be delivered today but the tracking now just says "arriving late". No location information.

Wonder if this is an artifact of the new Postal Service directives?

pompatus · by **pompatus** » 2020-09-12 1:59 p.m.

That’s a fairly common message, that I’ve seen all the time over the past couple of years when using USPS tracking.

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2020-09-12 2:44 p.m.

Happens all the time with UPS and Fedex as well.

Elow · by **Elow** » 2020-09-13 10:15 p.m.

My mouthpiece was delivered today, a sunday... Now to wait for a trombone that was supposed to be here monday

CalgaryTbone · by **CalgaryTbone** » 2020-09-25 10:26 p.m.

I just received a package from Hickeys. I spent the extra for Priority Mail because I was hoping to get it quickly. 10 days and about $50(US )postage (for a small, light box). Watching the tracking was interesting, as I noticed it bouncing around the US and then finally ending up in Eastern Canada, about a half-day's drive from where it started, and then take a slow drive west. My last package (from a different source) arrived in town and said "out for delivery" and then they changed the delivery date twice. I want to be patient with all that's going on, but what's with stuff travelling the wrong way? I could see it if the package just travelled to a large center to be loaded on a plane, but it's like they are driven around on a "road trip"!

Jim Scott

kmiller · by **kmiller** » 2020-10-23 7:32 a.m.

I love the USPS. As we as a whole realize that while going for any sort of delivery we have to deal with a couple of things. In this way, regarding whether you pick homegrown or worldwide delivery there are some disallowed items and some confined things which are not permitted to boatload starting with one spot then onto the next. Also, thus every one of those things or products are not admissible for delivery. In the event that you are picking this ~~[url=https://litebluelogin.online/usps-international/]~~USPS International delivery, at that point let me reveal to you that you need to keep a few standards which are about products that don't consider dispatching.

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-10-23 4:35 p.m.

Yesterday I received a mouthpiece purchased from RoscoTrombone.

• He shipped it from Scotland via Royal Mail, with tracking, in a padded envelope, on October 12

• It was processed through USPS in Los Angeles on October 19

• It was safely delivered to me in California on October 22

All things considered, the cost was reasonable.

No complaints about mail service on either end. :good:

Thanks, Ross! :hi:

Elow · by **Elow** » 2020-12-18 4:36 p.m.

Something popped up when i looked at my incoming deliveries for usps, this is from their website

"NEW! USPS Electronic Signature Online | Enroll Nowcaret image

Register your signature online so you can receive packages even when you're not home!

USPS Electronic Signature Online lets you keep an electronic signature with USPS for an entire year. Apply this electronic signature to any incoming packages that ship via Priority Mail Express®, require Signature Confirmation™, or are insured for over $500 when you cannot sign in person. USPS will leave your packages in your mailbox or at a preferred delivery location if a package is too large for your mailbox."

Being able to sign virtually for a package defeats the purpose of signing for a package right? Am i not understanding something?

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-12-18 5:32 p.m.

As of today (12/18/20) USPS seems hopelessly bogged down within the U.S.

I have expected a Priority Mail delivery to California from New York City since 12/15, and a package sent from California to Maryland, also scheduled for 12/15 delivery. Both are indicated as "~~[color=#0000BF]~~In Transit. Your package will arrive later than expected, but is still on its way. It is currently in transit to the next facility."

Christmas Rush? Covid? Weather? Delivery Saturday? Monday?

Our local postman has been asked to do two shifts/day. Early morning trip is largely package delivery; then he delivers mail to us in the afternoon. We are grateful for his service – as a truly essential worker!

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2020-12-18 5:33 p.m.

Still waiting on a horn shipped from Switzerland... November 7th.

But then again, I shipped a bell section to California and it took a grand total of 3 days.

Elow · by **Elow** » 2020-12-18 5:42 p.m.

I get a package every week from a dude about 30 minutes away and it normally only takes a day or two but this week i haven’t gotten it and it shipped monday. I also have got that message for something a couple states away that was supposed to be here tuesday.

Today my ups person came in a kia soul and it says i should have another package delivered by someone else later today

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2020-12-18 6:34 p.m.

It's a mess right now. 10 days or more for Priority Mail. The line out the door of the post office took an hour to get through a few days ago. They're coming in faster than they can sort them. It's a combination of less employees, the usual Christmas rush, and the changes made by the new postmaster who Trump put in who is intent on destroying USPS.

sacfxdx · by **sacfxdx** » 2020-12-18 7:46 p.m.

I’ve got 2 packages in the USPS vortex. just says “in transit” for several days. Only one state away. I guess they are doing the best that they can. Since travel is discouraged there are many extra packages being shipped by all the carriers.

Good luck. I hope your package (and mine) show up soon.

Trav1s · by **Trav1s** » 2020-12-18 9:50 p.m.

At the beginning of November my parents mailed a birthday present from Ohio to Iowa a week before my daughter's birthday. It got stuck in an infinite loop between Des Moines and Cincinnati then Des Moines and Columbus. We finally received the package after my parents talked to the postmaster and raised a stink.

Currently we have 4 separate packages that have not been delivered after 7-12 days. The package shipped 12 days ago took a detour to the Minnesota on day 10. I have not received another update from the sender. My inlaws mailed three packages to us a week ago and they have showed in transit to their destination since Monday 12/14.

This all wreaks of sabotage and setting up the USPS to fail. So sad and frustrating

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-12-18 9:56 p.m.

[quote="Trav1s"]This all wreaks of sabotage and setting up the USPS to fail. So sad and frustrating[/quote]

Gee, who could have been responsible for that? :idk:

Trav1s · by **Trav1s** » 2020-12-18 9:57 p.m.

[quote="Posaunus"]<QUOTE author="Trav1s" post_id="134423" time="1608346231" user_id="3564">
This all wreaks of sabotage and setting up the USPS to fail. So sad and frustrating[/quote]

Gee, who could have been responsible for that? :idk:
</QUOTE>

I know nothing...

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-12-19 2:05 p.m.

From the Boston Globe:

‘The system is just overwhelmed’: Post office struggles with holiday deluge

The pandemic has boosted shipping volumes to holiday season levels all year. Then it got worse.

The Postal Service is especially strained this season as UPS and other delivery services have limits on what they will take from retailers, but the Postal Service takes all deliveries.

If you haven’t already shipped your Christmas gifts, it may be too late to get them there on time.

The usual holiday crunch has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, which long ago sent delivery services into hyperdrive. And the brunt of it is falling on the United States Postal Service, with reports of mail and package delays stacking up around the country.

While the entire delivery sector is strained this holiday season, experts and analysts say the Postal Service is especially challenged, because private carriers like UPS and FedEx have planned limits on shipping volumes from some retailers, and are declining to immediately accept packages outside those previously agreed upon volumes. That is likely pushing even more packages into the Postal Service, said Satish Jindel, president of ShipMatrix, a Pennsylvania-based software company that tracks shipping industry performance.

“While [customers] will find the Post Office is going to have lower performance than UPS and FedEx, it’s because they are getting those extra packages that UPS and FedEx are turning away, that the Post Office can’t say no to,” Jindel said.

The Postal Service fared well in the earlier stage of the holiday shopping season, according to ShipMatrix, which found that between Nov. 22 and Dec. 5, USPS achieved an on-time rate of 92.8 percent for parcel delivery. That trailed UPS and FedEx, but was still ahead of its performance over the same period at the beginning of the 2019 holiday season.

But because the overall number of packages is up considerably this season, the raw number of late packages was also much higher. And the Postal Service’s performance has since fallen off, with packages arriving on-time just 86.1 percent of the time this past week, according to ShipMatrix.

In fact, Postal Service spokesman Stephen Doherty said mail volume all through the pandemic has been running well above normal, to the point where it’s been close to holiday-season busy all year, and only got busier when the actual holidays arrived.

The surge is so unprecedented the agency isn’t even projecting volume, “other than we expect to see a record number of packages this year,” Doherty said.

It is impossible to tell whether UPS and FedEx policies are adding to the backlog, he added. But Postmaster General Louis DeJoy warned workers in a recent online video that the Postal Service “may be getting a lot of overflow” from competitors that are at capacity.

Compounding the issue further are “staffing shortages in individual facilities” as some postal workers stay home if they feel sick or otherwise need to quarantine, Doherty said, though those issues are mitigated somewhat by sending additional workers to those sites.

“It seems to vary a lot. Some things will get there fine, and others will take weeks,” Richardson said. “Everything seems to be getting there eventually, but it’s just taking longer.”

The Postal Service faced similar concerns ahead of the 2020 election given the huge volumes of mail-in voting and President Trump’s attack on that process. State and local election officials urged voters to send ballots early, and there were ultimately no major reports of late-arriving ballots.

Nada Sanders, a supply chain expert at Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business, said capacity issues may persist well beyond the holidays — and perhaps even beyond the pandemic — if the sharp uptick in e-commerce sticks. She called on Congress to provide more funding to the USPS so it can keep up with demand long term.

“My concern with what happens with the supply chain is, you can only work at that level of maximum capacity for so long,” she said. “It’s not going to let up in the same way it has in the past.”

Elow · by **Elow** » 2020-12-19 2:11 p.m.

That’s just sad, everyone remember to thank their mail man/woman

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